ProjectsPilot

UPSC current affairs — 22 August 2026

The day's most exam-relevant stories, scored and mapped to the UPSC syllabus by ProjectsPilot's AI. Full Prelims/Mains/Interview analysis is inside the app.

Ukraine says 'cynical' Russian strike on shopping centre killed 16

Russia carried out a drone strike on a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rig, eastern Ukraine, killing 16 people and reportedly targeting emergency responders with a second strike. The attack followed intensified Russian bombardments across Ukrainian cities, including fatalities in Mykolaiv.

SecurityGS-II: India and its neighborhood—bilateral/global issues affecting IndiaGS-II: Effect of policies and politics of countries on IndiaThe Hindu · International +1 sources

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Empowered Committee Reviews Proposals to Accelerate Growth of Women-led Rural Enterprises

The Ministry of Rural Development’s Empowered Committee reviewed proposals under DAY-NRLM’s Non-Farm Livelihoods component to scale women-led rural enterprises via incubators. The focus is supporting high-potential SHG enterprises and enabling progression toward growth-oriented businesses linked to the 6 crore Lakhpati Didis goal.

SocietyGS-II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (women, rural livelihoods)GS-III: Inclusive growth and rural development; livelihood promotionPIB India

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National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

NADCP (launched 2019) is scaling up nationwide vaccination and surveillance to control Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and brucellosis. The programme is linked with strengthening veterinary services, digital livestock databases (Bharat Pashudhan Portal) and One Health preparedness.

EnvironmentGS-III: Animal husbandry and disease control (vaccination, surveillance, veterinary infrastructure)GS-III: Public health approaches via One Health and zoonotic disease preventionPIB India

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Union Minister Smt. Annpurna Devi Chairs Consultative Committee Meeting of the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Mission Shakti

Union Minister Annpurna Devi chaired a consultative committee meeting on Mission Shakti, focusing on One Stop Centres, PM Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), and SANKALP-HEW. The meeting highlighted scheme outreach for women’s safety, security, and empowerment.

SocietyGS-II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; women and child developmentGS-I: Social empowerment and inclusion (broad outcomes)PIB India

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Government Notifies ₹62,500 Cr Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme to Boost Global Competitiveness and Deepen Domestic Value Addition

MeitY notified the Mobile Phone Manufacturing Scheme (MPMS) with a large outlay to boost mobile manufacturing competitiveness and deepen domestic value addition. The scheme targets Indian ownership in design/IP/brand, aims to strengthen R&D, and is expected to support job creation.

Science & TechGS-III: Indigenous technology/industrial policy and domestic value addition (Make in India/PLI-type themes)GS-III: Employment generation and industrial competitiveness initiativesPIB India +1 sources

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Special NIA court rejects bail plea of Pulwama terror attack accused Insha Jan

A special NIA court rejected the bail plea of Insha Jan, accused in the 2019 Pulwama suicide attack, citing prima facie material and the UAPA’s statutory bar on bail under Section 43-D(5). The case involves alleged links to Jaish-e-Mohammed operatives and provision of logistical support.

SecurityGS-II: Internal security—challenges of terrorism; bail under UAPA; role of NIAGS-II: India’s security architecture and law enforcement (UAPA, NIA); judicial approach to bailThe Hindu · National

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West Asia LIVE: U.S. says it will impose 'toughest sanctions in history' on Iran

The US signals “toughest sanctions in history” and an “economic D-Day” against Iran to pressure an end to the ongoing conflict, raising risks to West Asian shipping. Strait of Hormuz crossings are reported to have fallen, coinciding with rising oil prices.

International RelationsGS-II: India and its neighbourhood / major powers and global conflicts impactGS-III: Energy security and international trade routes (West Asia, Strait of Hormuz)The Hindu · International +2 sources

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CJI advocates ‘Nyaya-nomics’ to drive growth

CJI Surya Kant advocated “Nyaya-nomics”, linking rule of law and consistent judicial interpretation with economic growth. He stressed that trust, predictability, and stability in justice delivery reduce transaction costs and support a favourable business environment.

PolityGS-II: Judiciary—role of courts, rule of law, judicial reforms and access to justiceGS-III: Growth and economic governance—institutional mechanisms that affect business climateThe Hindu · National

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Did Press Note 3 relaxations help attract more FDI? | Explained

India reports incremental FDI linked to relaxations in its FDI policy. The story revisits Press Note 3 (2020), which widened prior restrictions on land-border countries’ investment to curb hostile takeovers, alongside later relaxations aimed at improving inflow.

EconomyGS-II: Bilateral agreements and external sector linkages affecting India’s economic relationsGS-III: Foreign direct investment (FDI) policy and investment climate; effects of regulatory changesThe Hindu · National

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Why Indian retail options traders are having a tough time to defuse what Warren Buffett called lethal time bombs

SEBI has flagged heavy retail losses in the futures and options (F&O) segment, noting that most losses stem from options trading. The report echoes investor caution warnings, with Buffett’s critique of derivatives as “time bombs” often cited in this context.

EconomyGS-II: Financial sector regulation and investor protection (regulatory role of SEBI)GS-III: Derivatives/financial markets—risk management and retail participationEconomic Times · Top Stories

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